The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed first baseman Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year, $29 million contract, adding another power bat to what’s shaping up as their most active offseason in years.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan broke the news, confirming the deal for the 32-year-old O’Hearn, who’s coming off an All-Star season with the Baltimore Orioles.
“First baseman Ryan O’Hearn and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in agreement on a two-year, $29 million contract, sources tell ESPN. O’Hearn, 32, is the latest addition to the Pirates in a very busy winter.”
The signing gives Pittsburgh a proven power threat at first base. O’Hearn posted solid numbers last season, slashing .281/.366/.437 with 21 doubles, 17 home runs, and 63 RBI across 144 games. More importantly, he was Baltimore’s lone All-Star representative in 2025.
What makes this move particularly interesting is how it pairs with their earlier trade for Brandon Lowe. The Pirates now have two middle-of-the-order bats who can turn on a mistake pitch and drive it out of the park.
The contract also makes sense from Pittsburgh’s perspective. At $14.5 million per year, they’re getting a productive veteran without breaking the bank – exactly the kind of calculated move you’d expect from a budget-conscious organization.
O’Hearn’s versatility doesn’t hurt either. He’s played both corner infield spots and can handle designated hitter duties, giving manager Derek Shelton some flexibility with his lineup construction.
Building Something Different
This isn’t the Pirates team we’ve grown accustomed to watching. They’ve been more aggressive this winter than they have in recent memory, and O’Hearn represents another piece in what looks like a legitimate effort to compete.
The way I see it, Pittsburgh’s front office must feel pretty confident about their young pitching foundation to be investing this heavily in veteran position players. When you’re adding proven bats like O’Hearn and Lowe, you’re signaling that the rebuild phase is winding down.
All things considered, it’s a smart signing. O’Hearn gives them immediate production at a key position, and at 32, he should have at least a couple more productive seasons left.
Now the question becomes whether they’ve got one more move in them to really solidify this roster as a playoff contender.
